Cleaning Your Silver Jewelry In Preparation For An Appraisal

If you are getting ready to have your silver appraised, you will want to make sure that it is in good condition so that your appraisal can go as well as possible. This includes washing, cleaning and polishing your silver. Much of this maintenance must be performed for as long as you own your piece of silver.

Everyday Care

Your silver should always be washed immediately after being used. Only use water and a mild detergent. Use a soft cloth to dry your silverware. Do not place your silverware in a dishwasher because it will be subjected to high temperatures and harsher detergents. Higher temperatures can cause parts of the silver to expand and can lead to damage.

Your silver will be beautiful for years and will be worth more when you have it appraised if you clean and polish it regularly. Otherwise, your silver will become tarnished. There are many common contaminants that your jewelry are exposed to that cause tarnish, including:

Oils from your fingers

Mayonnaise

Tomatoes

Eggs

Salt

Fossil fuels

While you should try to minimize the contact of your silverware with all of these, Cleaning and polishing the silver must be done very gently to avoid damage to the plating.

Remove Tarnish

Fortunately, the tarnish can be safely removed with a silver polishing cloth. You will notice a slight yellow tint when the silver has been tarnished, indicating that you need to polish it. For the polish to be effective, make sure to store it at normal room temperature. Do not let the polish dry out because it will become more abrasive.

Once you have cleaned your jewelry, take it to a nearby appraiser. When it is in great condition, you will earn more when you sell it, and you'll also be able to use it for collateral.

Use Advanced Polishing Techniques When Necessary

By polishing regularly, you will easily remove the tarnish. However, if the silver hasn't been polished in awhile, you will need to use water and a cotton ball to remove the tarnish. Then, you will want to wipe it down with a soft cloth. However, if this is not enough, you will need a chemical designed specifically to polish and remove tarnish: silver polish.

When using silver polish, make sure to follow all of the instructions. You will often need to remove all of the dirt and grime before applying the polish. Always use gentle polish because applying too much force will remove the plating.

Contact a company like Antique Trader for more information and assistance.

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29 November 2017

About Me

Do you plan to buy a building to start your first business in soon? Perhaps, you’ve already found the perfect place to make your entrepreneurial dreams come true. But, you might not know how much you should offer the seller for it. To help you determine this important amount, consider securing an appraisal on the building. An appraisal will tell you how much the place is worth right now. Once you get an appraisal, creating the perfect offer price should be a cinch. On this blog, I hope you will discover the numerous reasons people obtain appraisals for properties. Enjoy!